Five more acts have been confirmed for a music festival returning to Hatfield next summer.
Folk by the Oak 2023 will take place in the grounds of Hatfield House on Sunday, July 16, with The Waterboys headlining the main stage.
Ahead of Christmas, festival organisers have revealed Africa’s first female griot kora virtuoso, Sona Jobarteh, will join the FBTO line-up.
Also announced for the all-day folk, roots and acoustic festival in Hatfield Park are TikTok sea shanty sensations The Longest Johns and trio Lady Maisery, and first Acorn Stage acts Cut Capers and The Wilderness Yet.
The release of her long-awaited second album Badinyaa Kuomo, voted Songlines ‘Best Album 2022’, has reinforced Sona Jobarteh’s standing as an exceptional composer.
“Her powerful live performances have sold-out venues worldwide,” said Folk by the Oak marketing manager Emma Dexter, “thanks to her ability to blend the traditional with the contemporary with enthralling results.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming Sona and her band to Folk by the Oak 2023.”
Unusually for a kora player, Sona is backed by a full band of electric guitar, bass and two percussionists, and she herself plays percussion, bass, guitar, and cello as well as kora.
Her musical talent is matched only by her dedication to her humanitarian work. Sona has singlehandedly set up The Gambia Academy, a pioneering institution dedicated to achieving educational reform across the continent of Africa.
Also playing the main stage next summer will be The Longest Johns, who are renowned for their exuberant live shows layered with riveting story-telling and captivating harmonies, and a welcome return of the accomplished and adventurous Lady Maisery.
Rising stars The Wilderness Yet will be playing FBTO's smaller Acorn Stage, which will be headlined this year by Cut Capers.
For Folk by the Oak tickets, visit www.folkbytheoak.com
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